"After all those years on the streets, I finally feel like I'm home"
"You're lying" Leo didn't even have to look up, he knew her better than anyone.
"You're right, I was always at home with you"
In which there's an unlikely friendship (... and ma...
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"It may not have been right," Alex said, "but neither was Medea's revenge. She murdered her own children to get back at Jason. She poisoned his new wife and fled the kingdom."
Medea snarled. "An invention to ruin my reputation! The people of the Corinth-that unruly mob-killed my children and drove me out. Jason did nothing to protect me. He robbed me of everything. So yes, I sneaked back into the palace and poisoned his lovely new bride. It was only fair-a suitable price."
"You're insane," Piper said.
"I am the victim!" Medea wailed. "I died with my dreams shattered, but no longer. I know now not to trust heroes. When they come asking for treasures, they will pay a heavy price. Especially when the one asking has the name of Jason!"
The fountain turned bright red. Alex drew her dagger. "Jason, Leo-it's time to go. Now. This crazy witch with a victim complex is using charmspeak on you, we need to go-"
"Before you've closed the deal?" Medea asked. "What of your quest, boys? And my price is so easy. Did you know this fountain is magic? If a dead man were to be thrown into it, even if he was chopped to pieces, he would pop back out fully formed-stronger and more powerful than ever."
"Seriously?" Leo asked.
"Leo, she's lying," Piper said. "She did that trick with somebody before-a king, I think. She convinced his daughters to cut him to pieces so he could come out of the water young and healthy again, but it just killed him!"
"Ridiculous," Medea said, and Alex could hear the power charged in every syllable. "Leo, Jason-my price is so simple. Why don't you two fight? If you get injured, or even killed, no problem. We'll just throw you into the fountain and you'll be better than ever. You do want to fight, don't you? You resent each other!"
"Guys, no!" Piper said. But the boys were already glaring at each other, as if it was just dawning on them how they really felt.
Leo scowled. "Jason's always the star. He always gets the attention and takes me for granted. You get everything you want, a cool quest, the girl- Everything"
"Leo... you know that's not true-" But Alex was cut off by Jason.
"You're annoying, Leo," Jason said. "You never take anything seriously. You can't even fix a dragon, Most of the time, you don't think properly, Maybe if you were a little better, you could have what you wanted" At that, Jason glanced at Alex briefly, long enough to make her question his statements.
What the heck? What did Jason mean by that?
"Stop!" Piper pleaded, but both drew weapons-Jason his gold sword, and Leo a hammer from his tool belt.
"Let them go, girls" Medea urged. "I'm doing you a favor. Let it happen now, and it will make your choice so much easier. Enceladus will be pleased. You could have your father back today!"
"Pipes, what's she talking about?" Alex looked at Piper apprehensively. But Piper shook her head.
"I'll tell you later. For now, do you trust me?" Piper asked and Alex nodded without hesitation.
"You work for Enceladus," Piper turned back to Medea.
Medea laughed. "Serve a giant? No. But we all serve the same greater cause-a patron you cannot begin to challenge. Walk away, child of Aphrodite. This does not have to be your death, too. Save yourself, and your father can go free. What's two children dead?"
Leo and Jason were still facing off, ready to fight, but they looked unsteady and confused-waiting for another order. Part of them had to be resisting, Alex hoped. This went completely against their nature.
"Listen to me, girl." Medea plucked a diamond off her bracelet and threw it into a spray of water from the fountain. As it passed through the multicolored light, Medea said, "O Iris, goddess of the rainbow, show me the office of Tristan McLean."
The mist shimmered, and Alex saw someone's study. Sitting behind his desk, talking on the phone, was a woman in a dark business suit, her hair swirled in a tight bun.
"Hello, Jane," Medea said.
Jane hung up the phone calmly. "How can I help you, ma'am? Hello, Piper."
"You-" Piper was so angry she could hardly talk.
"Yes, child," Medea said. "Your father's assistant. Quite easy to manipulate. An organized mind for a mortal, but incredibly weak."
"Thank you, ma'am," Jane said.
"Don't mention it," Medea said. "I just wanted to congratulate you, Jane. Getting Mr. McLean to leave town so suddenly, take his jet to Oakland without alerting the press or the police-well done! No one seems to know where he's gone. And telling him his daughter's life was on the line-that was a nice touch to get his cooperation."
"Yes," Jane agreed in a bland tone, as if she were sleepwalking. "He was quite cooperative when he believed Piper was in danger."
"I may have new orders for you, Jane," Medea said. "If the girl cooperates, it may be time for Mr. McLean to come home. Would you arrange a suitable cover story for his absence, just in case? And I imagine the poor man will need some time in a psychiatric hospital."
"Yes, ma'am. I will stand by."
The image faded, and Medea turned to Piper. "There, you see?"
"You lured my dad into a trap," Piper said. "You helped the giant-"
"Oh, please, dear. You'll work yourself into a fit! I've been preparing for this war for years, even before I was brought back to life. I'm a seer, as I said. I can tell the future as well as your little oracle . Years ago, still suffering in the Fields of Punishment, I had a vision of the seven in your so-called Great Prophecy. I saw your friend Leo here, and saw that he would be an important enemy someday. I stirred the consciousness of my patron, gave her this information, and she managed to wake just a little-just enough to visit him."
"Leo's mother," Piper said. "Leo, listen to this! She helped get your mother killed!"
"Uh-huh," Leo mumbled, in a daze. He frowned at his hammer. "So... I just attack Jason? That's okay?"
"NO" Alex yelled but Leo ignored her. In all her life she had never felt so helpless as she watched two of her best friends ready to face each other. All she wanted to do was run to Leo and shake him out of it, she couldn't believe what was happening.
"Perfectly safe," Medea promised. "And Jason, strike him hard. Show me you are worthy of your namesake."
"No!" Piper ordered. She knew it was her last chance. "Jason, Leo-she's tricking you. Put down your weapons."
The sorceress rolled her eyes. "Please, girl. You're no match for me. I trained with my aunt, the immortal Circe. I can drive men mad or heal them with my voice. What hope do these puny young heroes have against me? Now, boys, kill each other!"
"Jason, Leo, listen to me." Piper put all of her emotion into her voice. "Medea is charming you. It's part of her magic. You are best friends. Don't fight each other. Fight her!"
